Causes

Earlier this week, we asked Immigration Equality supporters to weigh in, at Pam’s House Blend, on which issue you thought should be top priority for President Obama as he prepares to address the community this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner.

As tens of thousands of advocates, activists and allies begin arriving in Washington for this weekend’s National Equality March, there are an increasing number of calls for elected leaders to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender binational families.

"We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country. We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars.”

Andrew Sullivan is all over DADT, writing several posts on the issue. He examines the rift on the right over LGBT equality, but most compelling was his publishing a note from a Marine veteran, who wrote:

For the first time in a very long time, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was discussed on the floor of the House of Representatives here in Washington, D.C. Last night, eight members of Congress joined Congressman Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania for a late night "special order" to shed some light on the need to repeal DADT and lift the ban that is hurting our military.

Lt. Col. Fehrenbach continues to serve on active duty today. He goes to work each and every day and continues to serve his country - each day wondering if this will be the day when he receives his official notice of discharge.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sent a letter to President Obama and Department of Defense Secretary Gates, in which he reiterated his support for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), shared the plight of Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach and Lt. Dan Choi, and asked the President and the Secretary to provide recommendations on DADT.